CASR

Defence
Budget & 
Procurement
Practices 
————
L O I  s 
————

Artillery Radar System  –  MERX  –  CF Procurement  –  March  2008 Medium Range Radar (MRR)  —  New Weapon Locating Radar for  Use by the Artillery  in Afghanistan  —  MERX  LOI  Notice This LOI  is for a new  vehicle-based weapon locating radar (WLR) designated  Medium Range Radar (MRR). The CF's current WLR is ARTHUR  (the ARTillery HUnting Radar) by Sweden's Saab (formerly Ericsson). ARTHUR was deployed to Kabul with the CF but  relied upon the maker for support. The CF ARTHUR (right) is housed in an unarmoured Bv 206 articulated tracked vehicle. In the higher-threat environment of  southern Afghanistan, the thin-skinned  Bv 206 arrange- ment is  inadequate and  an armoured carrier is now desired. DND specifications for a new WLR appear to have been written around ARTHUR with a few exceptions. At the maximum desirable range of 30km, ARTHUR will pick up larger projectiles (such as the ubiquitous Chinese-made Type 63 107mm rocket used  by the Taliban)  but  probably not smaller mortar rounds and artillery shells. There is also a requirement  for remote operation from 100m away from the system. ARTHUR  antennae are usually  mounted directly on top of  the operator's station. Another requirement of the LOI is the carrier possessing "similar  protection and mobility, as the support LAV III manoeuvre elements" and the newest ARTHUR systems will mount on LAV hulls.[1] The LOI does not state that the WLR must  be mounted on a LAV III  but the commonality advantages seem to dictate what the LOI  Notice won't. That  LAV route might  be simplified  if surplus LAV TUAs[2] were further adapted into new WLR mounts. There are other WLR systems besides ARTHUR, of course. New US systems seem underdeveloped for  MRR's timeline but  Raytheon – with its updated AN/TPQ-36 system – or Lockheed Martin – with its rival EQ-36 – may prove to be dark horses. [ Update:  Lockheed Martin will submit their EQ-36,  Raytheon the AN/MPQ-64F1 Improved Sentinel, and Saab Microwave Systems their Giraffe Agile Multi-Beam.] The LOI Notice's text  (as published on the MERX website)  is reproduced below: [1] The newest ARTHUR variant is modular and has a three-axis antenna turntable, making it suitable for mounting on a LAV hull. Remote operation is possible using fibre-optic cable which, if long enough, satisfies the requirement 100m remote use. [2] Some 33 surplus LAV TUA are to be converted into turretless LAV-RWS ISCs, infantry section carriers with a remote weapon system.  The last 8-to-10 LAV TUA hulls would seem obvious candidates for conversion to LAV-based  WLR carriers. [ Update: LAV-RWS delivery was to begin in June 2008 but ran two years late and half the fleet must be retained in Canada for training. Clearly not WLR candidates.] ________________________________________ Medium Range Radar (MRR)   [ Weapon Locating Radar System and Carrier ]  –  MERX  LOI Notice ________________________________________ Reference Number                PW-$$QD-013-16814 Solicitation Number              W8476-070006/A Organization Name               Public Works and Government Services Canada Source ID                               FD.DP.QC.10077.C2 Associated Components     No Dates Published     2008-03-11 Revised        — Closing         2008-04-24  02:00 PM  Eastern Standard Time  EST Details Category                          Communications, Detection and Fibre Optics GSINS                               N5810: COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY EQUIPMENT                                           AND COMPONENTS Region of Delivery         National Capital Region Agreement Type            Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) Tender Type                    Letter  of  Interest  ( LOI ) Estimated Value               — Solicitation Method        — Notice Description Medium Range Radar (MRR) Trade Agreement:                                         Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) Tendering Procedures:                                 — Attachment:                                                   None Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy:  N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement:   No Nature of Requirement Medium Range Radar (MRR) W8476-070006/A The Department of  National Defence (DND) has a requirement for Medium Range Radar (MRR) systems. The main function of  the MRR will  be to detect and locate indirect fire weapons, such as artillery, mortars, and  rockets across the continuum of operations including against asymmetric adversaries. This procurement activity is intended  to acquire ... 8 to 10 ... Radar systems and associated  logistic support. This project intends to procure a medium range radar system to detect hostile pro- jectiles and locate its origin so that land forces can take appropriate action. The system ... uses radar to track rockets, mortars and artillery, in combination with meteorological and geographical data, to locate the originating weapon. The intent of this Letter of  Interest (LOI) is to confirm the commercial availability of systems that meet the criteria identified herein. It is the goal of the Government of  Canada to minimize to the greatest extent practicable the technical, schedule and cost risk associated with procuring a MRR. Consequently, candidates are asked to provide test results and data including the source to substantiate the performance claims of the proposed Medium Range Radar (MRR) systems. Interested parties will be required to demonstrate: 1) that the proposed system locates mortars, guns and rockets out to a mandatory range of 15 km. Interested parties should submit a Blake chart [a range calculation worksheet first devised by Lamont Blake in 1962]  to substantiate their claims; 2) that the proposed system locates mortars, guns and rockets out to a ...range of 30 km. Interested parties should submit a Blake chart to substantiate their claims; 3) that the proposed system has a minimum range of 1 km or less to start detecting mortars, guns and rockets; 4) that the proposed system has an accuracy of location for mortars and guns equal to or better than 50m Circular Error Probable (CEP) (50%) out to 15 km; 5) that the proposed system has an accuracy of location for rockets equal to or better than 60m CEP (50%) out to 15 km; 6) that the proposed system is capable of searching and locating in a 360-degree sector in azimuth; 7) that the proposed system should have the potential to perform an airspace surveillance mission; 8) that the proposed system can record and digitally transmit location data; 9) that the proposed system has a remote operation capability allowing the operator to be a minimum distance of 100 meters from the vehicle; 10) that the proposed system can be setup and in action by four persons within 20 minutes; and 11) that the proposed system has similar protection and mobility, as the support LAV III manoeuvre elements. This Letter of Interest (LOI) is used to identify potential bidders in order to identify price, availability and the ability of the equipment to meet the criteria described above. Price and availability data will be used only to support the budgetary estimation process necessary in order to seek effective project approval from the Government. The data is to include:   a.   RADAR equipment costs;   b.   Ancillary equipment identification and costs;   c.   Training cost for operators and technicians;   d.   Spares cost for two years training;   e.   Engineering support cost for two years;   f.   Field support representative cost for two years; and   g.   System and vehicle integration costs (includes integration of the Radar with         the existing C2 system). It is the intent of the Government of Canada to seek Industrial and Regional Bene- fits (IRBs) in the acquisition of  the Medium Range Radar, in the order of  100% of contract  value. This is to consist of  high quality,  Direct  and   Indirect  Industrial Benefits in the form of  IRB transactions that comply with Canada's IRB policy.  In addition to the commitment of  100% contract value, of  which 60%  must  be in the form of  allocated  transactions, potential  bidders would be required to submit IRB plans for Small Business Development and Regional Distribution. Interested parties should expect  that any future requirements  resulting  from this LOI will include a contract security clause and possible security requirements. Interested parties are requested to advise of  their interest by submitting a re- sponse to this LOI in writing (2copies) to the Contract Authority prior to 12:00 pm, April 24, 2008, as follows: Vikki McDougall Supply Team Leader, ISTAR Project Public Works and Government Services Canada 8C2, Place du Portage, Phase III Hull, Quebec, K1A 0S5 If you have any enquiries concerning this matter, please contact: Vikki McDougall Supply Team Leader/ISTAR Project Phone (819) 956-0583 Fax (819) 956-0636 E-mail vikki.mcdougall@pwgsc.gc.ca The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice or otherwise pay for the information solicited. All interested suppliers are requested to contact the contracting authority for further information regarding this Letter of Interest. Delivery Date: 24/04/2008 The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement. Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada. McDougall, Vikki 11 Laurier St./11, rue Laurier Place du Portage, Phase III, 8C2 Gatineau, Québec K1A 0S5 (819) 956-0585 ( ) Contacts Contracting Authority Name            Vikki McDougall Address   11 Laurier St. / 11, rue Laurier, Place du Portage, Phase III, 8C2 City               Gatineau State / Province  Québec Country        Canada Postal Code K1A 0S5 Phone           (819) 956-0585 ( ) Fax                (819) 956-0636